THE RACE for European places within the Dafabet Welsh Premier League took another twist as Bala Town’s unbeaten run of 10 matches came to an abrupt end with a 3-2 defeat against a lively Llandudno on Friday.

An early goal from Mike Hayes had earned the second-placed Lakesiders an interval lead, but three goals in six minutes midway through the second half by Danny Shaw, James Joyce and Jamie Reed turned the tables on Bala - and Lee Hunt’s last minute reply came too late.

It took just six minutes for Bala to open the scoring when Kieran Smith danced through the defence and squeezed a ball through to Hayes, who took the ball in on the turn to score with a deflected effort.

Further chances saw Mark Connolly slice a shot from distance low and wide, and Smith tested keeper Dave Roberts with a drive from the edge of the area.

David Thompson had to make a brilliantly timed last-ditch tackle to deny Danny Hughes from Jamie Reed’s flick on, but a neat one-two between Smith and Connolly then saw Smith head over.

Connolly saw a shot deflected away, but at the other end Marc Williams drove a volley towards Morris’ net, but it dipped just shy of the far upright on half-time.

The second half saw Llandudno crank up the pressure and it was a half where they dominated in possession. The forward line of Williams and Reed who’d looked threatening in the first half came out in the second with much more intent.

A decent spell by the Lakesiders saw Nathan Burke flick a header inches over, and Roberts gathered from Hayes, but back came Llandudno with Lewis Buckley putting a chance over the crossbar.

The hosts got their reward on 70 minutes when Lee Thomas crossed a dangerous ball in and Danny Shaw rose highest to power the ball into the back of the net.

Within four minutes it was 2-1 as Marc Williams intelligently used his body to win a free kick on the cusp of the 18 yard box, and James Joyce brilliantly slotted home, with Morris rooted to the spot.

Two minutes later it was 3-1 as Buckley flicked on, and Stephens missed his header, for Jamie Reed capitalise by lobbing Morris with a deft first time touch.

Substitute Lee Hunt finally reduced the deficit when he hammered the ball into the roof of the net after a scramble in the box - but there was no way back for Bala.

LLANDUDNO: D Roberts, D Taylor, J Joyce, D Hughes, L Thomas, M Williams, D Shaw, J Reed (L Riley 89), M Williams, L Dawson (L Buckley 64), T Dix Subs not used: M Johnston, C Wearing (gk), A Tierney, S McCaffery.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, A Stephens, S Jones, J Irving, C Murtagh, M Connolly (L Hunt 64), N Burke, D Thompson, M Hayes, I Sheridan, K Smith. Subs not used: R Valentine, W Bell, M Jones, C Platt. Att: 384. Referee:M Petch.